In the Ring With Tommy Burns

This should hopefully answer some key questions about Burn's perceived standing.

 

I assume this means Johnson, Willard and Dempsey are next.

 

If we're extremely lucky. I'm buying mine now.

 

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Great news, I have been looking forward to this book.

Tommy Burns certainly was not one of the great champs, but he was the first one to drop the "color line" and give a blackman a chance at the title. I give him points for that.

I only know of one other biography of him, and that is long out of print, so I am looking forward to some new information, and some good reading.

 

Great news, I have been looking forward to this book.

Tommy Burns certainly was not one of the great champs, but he was the first one to drop the "color line" and give a blackman a chance at the title. I give him points for that.

I only know of one other biography of him, and that is long out of print, so I am looking forward to some new information, and some good reading.

 

Nice Book. Ill buy it.


PS If Burns defended his title against Ketchel, he would have gotten knocked out

 

That would have been one hell of a fight.

 

I think it would look like Hearns-Duran with Ketchel being Hearns and Burns being Duran.

 

So Ketchell does what Johnson could not?

I think you are underrating Burns a bit.

 

I think hes underrating Burns A LOT.

 

Klompton, your an expert. I don't need to tell you to look and compare their common opposition to realize how much of a bigger puncher stanley ketchel was than Tonny Burns. When two aggresive punchers meet, the one who hits a lot harder is usually going to win.

 

If its a competition as to who is a harder puncher then Ketchel wins. But thats not how boxing matches work. There were plenty of times even in his prime where Ketchel couldnt produce a KO against top opposition and there is nothing in Burns resume to suggest he was going out in a one sided two round blitz KO like Duran did against Hearns. The only time Burns was ever officially stopped was in his last fight coming off a two year layoff, fat and out of shape and fighting a naturally bigger man in his prime. Even against Johnson who was a harder puncher than Ketchel IMO Burns took everything Johnson had and kept fighting albeit in a losing manner. No, if wanna argue Ketchel wins thats fine but I dont see Burns being embarrassed in that one.

 

Ketchel may have hit harder but Burns had better fundamentals ,from looking at film,he had better defence,[ Ketchel's was allmost non-existant] and better balance,[ Ketchel often left himself wide open after throwing roundhouse swings,]and better footwork.
I stated from looking at film because Ketchel's best performances are not on film, but his footwork and balance are.

Johnson ,who was a great friend of Ketchel 's and spoke warmly of him said,he was astonished how easy to hit Stanley was.

Film of their fight shows Johnson to be the quicker man too.
I have my doubts Ketchel could have absorbed the terrific lacing Johnson gave Burns for 14 rds.

Trying to establish the probable winner in a fight from two boxers common opponents is very hazardous,as a glance at Ali,Foreman's and Norton's records would confirm.
I think it would be a toss up fight and if offered odds I would definitely pick Burns.